Concrete Reception Desk Makes a Bold Design Statement

Boston Consulting Group, located in the financial district of downtown Minneapolis, is a specialist in reimagining businesses and meeting the competitive challenges of the future. The minute clients enter the company’s office on the 23rd floor of RGB Plaza, they can see that spirit of innovation clearly reflected in the modern, streamlined decor, culminating in a massive reception desk made of white concrete.

“BCG was looking for something that would be artistic and creative in design to capture interest while being made of a material that could provide a substantial look — heavy, thick and solid,” says Eric Mayne, president and lead designer of Living Stone Concrete Design. Mayne, who is also certified in traditional precast concrete and GFRC countertop construction, has devoted his career to finding ways to be artistic when working with various types of materials. On this project, he used his expertise to create a functional piece that would blend in seamlessly with the reception area’s sleek white and wood-paneled walls.

Despite its size and long 12-foot unsupported span, the desk has only one seam, which was made possible by the use of lightweight glass-fiber-reinforced concrete. “We used a GFRC mix with all white concrete and white silica sand as the aggregate. The 12-foot section with the waterfall edge is seamless all the way to the angled break. The length of the front panel on the return is 7 feet,” says Mayne.

To echo the wood in the wall panels and break up the large expanse of white concrete, sections of wood were integrated into the desk design. “We partnered with a millwork company who designed the inside wood sections, and we were able to template and build our panels to fit that structure,” he explains. “The biggest challenge was getting the inside of our castings tight and crisp so they would slide over the millworked sections.”

In addition to concrete countertops, Living Stone Concrete Design also makes custom furniture, fire features and other interior décor, crafting each piece by hand to bring the client’s vision to life. “We find inspiration in solving the unique challenges that occur with each design,” says Mayne.

Materials used:
Concrete: GFRC mix made with white cement and white silica sand
Sealer: U-SEAL, from Fishstone

Concrete contractor:
Living Stone Concrete Design, Lake Elmo, Minn.

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